Civil War: Arguments For and Against Slavery

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Overview:

To modern sensibilities, slavery in the antebellum period is more than harsh. It is almost inconceivable that so many Americans supported this brutal system of forced labor. Close inspection reveals how few contemporaries believed that it should be abolished outright. To explore more fully, students will identify the different strategies of those who opposed and supported slavery. They will also analyze the role of property rights as an ongoing theme in US history and justification for the institution of slavery.
This is 1 of 27 lessons in the unit.